EVALUATING A CO-DESIGNED EXERGAMING PLATFORM (MOUVMAT) FOR OLDER ADULTS LIVING IN LONG-TERM CARE HOMES

Abstract MouvMat is an exergaming technology with an interactive digital gaming surface that was co-designed with a user-centered design approach for older adults (OA) living in long term care homes. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the acceptability and efficacy of MouvMat to improve mobility, cognitive function and psychosocial wellbeing among OAs. The study was conducted as a multi-site pilot randomised controlled trial where OAs in the intervention group attended 1-hour group sessions 3 times per week for 6 weeks. The control group received standard recreational programing. All participants underwent assessments (TUG, 2MW test, UCLA Loneliness Scale, Cornell Scale of Depression, digit span, TMT-A, TMT-B, alternating sequences, and verbal fluency) at baseline, mid-intervention, and end of intervention. Participant ratings indicated that the MouvMat was acceptable and OAs with a range of comorbid health conditions were able to attend sessions and engage with the intervention. Efficacy findings were varied and should be interpreted in the context of the heterogeneous physical and cognitive abilities of participants living in a long-term care setting. Future studies will focus on larger sample size and improvement in MouvMat’s design and interface.


A CLOSER LOOK AT OLDER ADULTS AS PEER EDUCATORS IN LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTIONS IN THE US
Giuliana Casanova 1 , Joyce Weil 2 , and Margarida Cerqueira 3 , 1. University of Aveiro,Aveiro,Aveiro,Portugal,2. Towson University,Towson,Maryland,United States,3. Universidade de Aveiro,Aveiro,Aveiro,Portugal Productive engagement in later life refers to paid or unpaid activities that can provide beneficial outcomes for individuals and society.This qualitative study examines the experiences of 17 peer educators, aged 61 to 84 and without cognitive deficits, who teach at three institutions of lifelong learning in Florida, USA.Data were collected through field notes, document analysis, a sociodemographic questionnaire, individual in-depth interviews, and brief interviews with each institution´s director.Descriptive statistics were used to examine the profiles of the peer educators, and emerging themes were identified through thematic analysis of the interview data.Preliminary results suggest that volunteerism and altruism played a role in their decision to become peer educators.Descriptive statistics showed that, on average, peer educators have obtained higher education degrees and have past teaching experience.The study identified several emerging themes related to the experiences of peer educators, including the need for purpose, the value of social connections, enjoyment of their role, and the importance of mutual learning.The analysis also revealed some challenges, including the need for environmental modifications to improve teaching conditions and assistance with marketing to promote classes and increase attendance.Overall, this study provides preliminary evidence to aid in understanding older adults in productive roles and fighting ageism.Identify current gaps in each institution´s approach, capacity to promote their participation and enhance their teaching experience while highlighting their contributions to society.

EVALUATING A CO-DESIGNED EXERGAMING PLATFORM (MOUVMAT) FOR OLDER ADULTS LIVING IN LONG-TERM CARE HOMES
Charlene Chu 1 , Renée Biss 2 , Haniya Bharucha 1 , and Henrique Matulis 1 , 1. University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 2. University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada MouvMat is an exergaming technology with an interactive digital gaming surface that was co-designed with a user-centered design approach for older adults (OA) living in long term care homes.The purpose of the study was to evaluate the acceptability and efficacy of MouvMat to improve mobility, cognitive function and psychosocial wellbeing among OAs.The study was conducted as a multi-site pilot randomised controlled trial where OAs in the intervention group attended 1-hour group sessions 3 times per week for 6 weeks.The control group received standard recreational programing.All participants underwent assessments (TUG, 2MW test, UCLA Loneliness Scale, Cornell Scale of Depression, digit span, TMT-A, TMT-B, alternating sequences, and verbal fluency) at baseline, mid-intervention, and end of intervention.Participant ratings indicated that the MouvMat was acceptable and OAs with a range of comorbid health conditions were able to attend sessions and engage with the intervention.Efficacy findings were varied and should be interpreted in the context of the heterogeneous physical and cognitive abilities of participants living in a long-term care setting.Future studies will focus on larger sample size and improvement in MouvMat's design and interface.

THE CRUCIAL ROLE OF LEPTIN IN MEDIATING VISCERAL ADIPOSITY-ASSOCIATED AGING PROCESS Shangang Zhao, UT Health San Antonio -Barshop Institute, San Antonio, Texas, United States
Visceral adiposity is a hallmark of aging and an important contributor to reduced healthspan and lifespan.The factors that mediate the detrimental effects of aging-associated visceral adiposity are poorly identified.Here, we have shown that hyperleptinemia, induced by a leptin transgenic cassette in adipose tissue, accelerates diet-induced obesity and glucose intolerance.In addition, hyperleptinemia promotes adipose tissue inflammation.Chronic culture of stromal vascular fraction (SVF) with leptin reduces the capacity of differentiation and increases inflammation.Moreover, chronic hyperleptinemia in fat depots accelerates the development senescent cells to establish a senescent-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), including increased local inflammation.This result indicates hyperleptinemia may be a "unidentified" driver for cellular senescence.Moreover, deletion of leptin in visceral fat depots significantly reduces visceral adiposity and senescent-associated secretory phenotype (SASP).These results highlight the crucial role of leptin in establishing SASP and targeting leptin may be a novel approach to alleviate aging-associated metabolic syndromes.

THE BLUES AND OLDER MINORITY MUSICIANS: MORE THAN JUST MUSIC XXX Chair: John Migliaccio
That's right!This GSA Annual Scientific Meeting celebrates 30 years of the ever popular "'Bo Diddley' Track" providing insights into the older performers who have pioneered and preserved this uniquely American musical genre and distinctive cultural treasure.Tampa was, and remains, a significant location in its history.When Hudson Woodbridge (Whittaker), a.k.a."Tampa Red", had learned all he could of the popular "race records" featuring legendary blues performers like Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, and Ida Cox and moved to Chicago in 1925 in his early 20s, he brought with him a prolific expertise on the slide guitar and helped introduce multiple new forms of this music.He spread the popular bawdy and humorous "hokum" Blues style and created numerous classic tunes that are still covered by the most famous musicians of today.Tampa continues to nurture a thriving music scene, and this year's GSA conference will take full advantage of the magic, music, and musicians of the Suncoast Blues.This year's special celebration will start with the opening of the exhibit hall.Then continue with the popular traditional lecture, oral history, refreshments, photo op and mini-performance by the best and most resilient local older blues musicians.That evening, join the artist and band, and a multitude of fellow GSA members, for a lively music bash at a local club featuring dancing, local food and refreshments, swag, and one of the best parties at GSA.It's a cornucopia of education and enjoyment like none other.The Blues Brothers are an American blues and soul revivalist band founded in 1978 by comedians Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi as part of a musical sketch on Saturday Night Live.Belushi and Aykroyd fronted the band, in character, respectively, as lead vocalist 'Joliet' Jake Blues and harmonica player/vocalist Elwood Blues, donning black suits with matching fedoras and sunglasses.

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY-BASED INTERVENTIONS TO SUPPORT FAMILY CAREGIVERS
Chair: Tiffany Washington Co-Chair: Nicole Ruggiano Discussant: Joseph Gaugler There are 53 million family caregivers in the U.S., most of whom experience difficulty coordinating care, health and mental health decline, social isolation, and loneliness.Furthermore, accessing community support services remains challenging.This gap in access can create a significant threat to caregivers' wellbeing and quality of life.The need to develop innovative interventions to support family caregivers is urgent.This symposium will describe the potential of leveraging emerging technology-based interventions to support family caregivers.Speaker one will outline considerations for design and development of social engagement interventions for caregivers delivered via video-conferencing platforms.Speaker two will describe the development and initial testing of a touchscreen mobile application that supports communication between people living with dementia and their caregivers to promote person-centered care.Speaker three will describe the human-centered design of a digital health solution to improve symptom management in advanced cancer care for older adults, emphasizing specific strategies to incorporate evidence-based principles of digital inclusivity.Speaker four will present findings from a proof of